Clock repair apparatus

ABSTRACT

Clock repair apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a clock mechanism. An electrically driven tool for repairing a clock mechanism is movably supported in a manner whereby the tool and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other. A winding and unwinding device for winding and releasing tension in a clock spring is movably supported in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding device and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other.

United States Patent [19] Horsfall CLOCK REPAIR APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Owen C. Horsfail, Northviile, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.,

New York, N.Y.; A part interest 22 Filed: Apr.'30, 1973 211 App]. No.: 355,948

[52] US. Cl. 29/200 P, 29/401, 29/177 [51] Int. Cl..... B23p 19/00, 823p 13/00, B23p 7/00 [58] Field of Search 29/200 D, 200 J, 200 P, 29/401.1,401.7,177,178,179, 401;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,403,434 10/1968 Caiabro 29/401 June 18, 1974 3,742,580 7/1973 Sullivan, Jr. 29/401 3,758,933 9/1973 Gross 29/200 P Primary Examinen Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or FirmDanie1 Jay Tick 57] ABSTRACT Clock repair apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a clock mechanism. An e1ectrica11y driven tool 1 for repairing a clock mechanism is movably supported in a manner whereby the tool and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other. A winding and unwinding device for winding and releasing tension in a clock spring is movabiy supported in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding device and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CLOCK REPAIR APPARATUS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to clock repair apparatus.

The principal object of the invention is to provide clock repair apparatus of simple structure which functions efficiently, effectively and reliably to support a clock for repair without disassembly of the clock.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the clock repair apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side viewof the embodiment of the clock repair apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view, on an enlarged scale, of an embodiment of the winding and unwinding device of the invention.

In the FlGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The clock repair apparatus of the invention comprises a platform 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for supporting a complete clock mechanism. An electrically driven tool 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) such as, for example, a drill unit, is utilized to repair a clock mechanism.

A support frame (FIGS. 1 and 2) movably supports the tool 2 in a manner whereby the tool and the platform 1 are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other (FIGS. 1 and 2). Thus, the platform 1 is movably supported on a manually controllable spindle arrangement 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for movement in substantially horizontal directions, indicated by arrows 4 and 5 (FIG. 2).

The support frame which movably supports the tool 2 comprises apairof spaced substantially vertical arms 6 and 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a substantially horizontal arm 8 (FIG. 2). A pair of carriages 9 and 10 mount the horizontal arm 8 on the vertical arms 6 and 7 for movement in substantially vertical directions, indicated by arrows 11 and 12 (FIG. 2).

A tool mount 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) mounts the tool 2 on the horizontal arm 8 for movement in substantially horizontal directions. The movement of the tool 2 in horizontal and vertical directions is manually controlled.

A winding and unwinding device for winding and releasing tension in a clock spring is shown in FIG. 3. The winding and unwinding device comprises a splined head 14 for grasping a winding arbor. A ratchet device 15 is affixed to the head 14 via a shaft 16 to rotate the head about its axis 18.

The winding and unwinding device is movably supported by a mounting, shown in FIG. 3, in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding device and the platform 1 are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other. The mounting of FIG. 3 comprises a substantially vertical arm 19 and a substantially horizontal arm 20 pivotally and axially movably mounted on the vertical arm. The horizontal arm 20 supports the winding and unwinding device in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding device is movable in a substantially horizontal plane about the axis 21 of the vertical arm.

The apparatus of the invention is adapted to be used in bushing operations in a clock mechanism and in cleaning a clock mechanism.

The winding and unwinding device for a clock main spring, is self contained, has its own ratchet, and crank allows complete control and ease in letting down the power of the mainspring. Of necessity, it must be used with themovement holding platform on table 1.

The conventional method used in letting down a spring is to use a key that fits in the palm of the hand and release the ratchet, letting the key slip in the hand. The danger here is that if the operation gets out of control the spring will unwind so fast as to sometimes break the spring or strip some wheel teeth. Furthermore, it is quite inconvenient to hold and place a clamp on the spring as must be done.

The movement holding table is adapted for the use of the unwinding device. It permits the movement to be rotated to work on a block hinged to the edge of a bench permits the movement to be adjusted and readied for the case before removing. The movement can not always be grasped at the same level on both ends. Thus, there is an adjustable arm on the left side. This feature is necessary if the next tool is used, which tool is a bushing tool, with a power driven precision head which accommodates all watch makers lathe head attachments.

The table has a swivel on the bottom for ease of horizontal rotation, and right and left hand drive screws for the placement of the upright arms. and to hold them in position until the lock nuts are tightened.

A bushing tool, which may befaccommodated by the apparatus of the invention, has bed ways and takes the holding table 1 which then can be moved forward and back or sideways to properly position the movement under the power head for various operations.

In the repair of clocks, especially striking or complicated clocks, repairs may be done: in much less time if the movement or mechanism does not have to be disassembled. Since all the gears on the strike side are timed, it would be advantageous not to disassemble.

The bushing of a worn pivot hole is accomplished in the following manner. The clock mechanism or movement is brought to a position with the worn pivot hole in exact location under the power head which holds a center collet for this purpose. Then, when all is locked in this position, a hollow end mill is used in the power head and the plate milled out for the insertion of a bushing. This is also done by the power head.

For replacing a broken mainspring in old clocks with one piece plates, brass strips are first fitted to the plate. Threads for the screws are then drilled and tapped. Then, with the strip removed and ametal cutting saw in the head, the plate is cut in two, so as to lift the old spring out and replace, still without disassembly. The fitted strips are put on and the plate is then in exact position, as before. Many times a broken wheel tooth or section can be replaced with the movement assembled, especially in old American clocks, when gear wheels project beyond the assembly plates. With this type, the wheel is rotated to project the broken section, repairs are made, and a fly cutter in the power head shapes the replaced tooth or teeth.

The power head is a precision drill with V2 inch travel and a micrometer stop. It has the versatility of a traveling watchmakers lathe head.

The cleaning machine utilizes the table. The movement or mechanism is locked in. The lock nuts on the rotating arms of the table are released and the right hand shaft arm is fitted with a sprocket gear for a ladder chain drive.

The cleaning tank is ten by fourteen by ten inches high and for best cleaning should be ultrasonic as well as mechanical. All operations are controlled by electric switches and could be automatic.

With the movement in place, cleaning fluid is pumped through a filter into the tank, movement washed, fluid drained back to reservoir, spin off of movement, spray of rinse fluid, again spin off then dried by .a flow of heated air through the tank. By this method, the cleaning fluid lasts much longer since it is filtered. Also, heavy dirt settles to the bottom of the reservoir.

1 claim:

1. Clock repair apparatus, comprising a platform for supporting a clock mechanism;

an electrically driven tool for repairing a clock mechanism;

support frame means for movably supporting the tool in a manner whereby the tool and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other;

winding and unwinding means for winding and releasing tension in a clock spring; and

mounting means for movably supporting the winding and unwinding in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding means and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other.

2. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a pair of spaced substantially vertical arms, a substantially horizontal arm, carriage means mounting the horizontal arm on the vertical arms for movement in substantially vertical directions and tool mounting means mounting the tool on the horizontal arm for movement in substantially horizontal directions, and further comprising platform supporting means for movably supporting the platform for movement in substantially horizontal directions.

3. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winding and unwinding means comprises a splined head for grasping a winding arbor, a ratchet device affixed to the head for rotating the head about its axis.

4. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting means comprises a substantially vertical arm and a substantially horizontal arm pivotally and axially movably mounted on the vertical arm and supporting the winding and unwinding means in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding means is movable in a substantially horizontal plane about the axis of the vertical arm. 

1. Clock repair apparatus, comprising a platform for supporting a clock mechanism; an electrically driven tool for repairing a clock mechanism; support frame means for movably supporting the tool in a manner whereby the tool and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other; winding and unwinding means for winding and releasing tension in a clock spring; and mounting means for movably supporting the winding and unwinding in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding means and the platform are movable up and down and left and right relative to each other.
 2. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a pair of spaced substantially vertical arms, a substantially horizontal arm, carriage means mounting the horizontal arm on the vertical arms for movement in substantially vertical directions and tool mounting means mounting the tool on the horizontal arm for movement in substantially horizontal directions, and further comprising platform supporting means for movably supporting the platform for movement in substantially horizontal directions.
 3. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winding and unwinding means comprises a splined head for grasping a winding arbor, a ratchet device affixed to the head for rotating the head about its axis.
 4. Clock repair apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting means comprises a substantially vertical arm and a substantially horizontal arm pivotally and axially movably mounted on the vertical arm and supporting the winding and unwinding means in a manner whereby the winding and unwinding means is movable in a substantially horizontal plane about the axis of the vertical arm. 